Talk show host DAVID LETTERMAN had his beard shaved off on air on Monday night (07Jan08). Letterman had cultivated the facial growth while supporting the writers' strike, but kept it as The Late Show with David Letterman returned to the air last week (02Jan07). But after being mocked by guests, Letterman invited barbers onto the show, telling viewers, "We have to say goodbye to an old friend tonight, and I'm just sick about it." Show guest Tom Hanks later brought Letterman a first aid kit to tend to a cut on the host's lip, and said, "Shaving beards on TV. That's what shows without writers do." Letterman's show returned, with writers, after his production company secured a pay deal with picketing Writer's Guild of America members.